U.S. patent application number 10/968054 was filed with the patent office on 2006-05-04 for weather station.
This patent application is currently assigned to IDT Technology Limited. Invention is credited to Raymond Chan.
Application Number | 20060095210 10/968054 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35385747 |
Filed Date | 2006-05-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060095210 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chan; Raymond |
May 4, 2006 |
Weather station
Abstract
A weather station for measuring and indicating weather
conditions, comprises a casing having a display and an electronic
operating circuit in the casing for operation. The operating
circuit has sensors for sensing atmospheric parameters e.g.,
temperature, pressure, and humidity, and a memory storing literal
weather messages pertinent to the atmospheric parameters. Also
included is a control unit programmed to determine degrees of the
atmospheric parameters sensed by the sensors and then to retrieve
weather messages corresponding to the degrees and display the
messages on the display.
Inventors: |
Chan; Raymond; (Hong Kong,
HK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LEYDIG VOIT & MAYER, LTD
700 THIRTEENTH ST. NW
SUITE 300
WASHINGTON
DC
20005-3960
US
|
Assignee: |
IDT Technology Limited
Hunghom
HK
|
Family ID: |
35385747 |
Appl. No.: |
10/968054 |
Filed: |
October 20, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
702/3 ; 340/601;
73/170.16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01W 1/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
702/003 ;
340/601; 073/170.16 |
International
Class: |
G01W 1/00 20060101
G01W001/00 |
Claims
1. A weather station for measuring and indicating weather
conditions, comprising: an casing having a display; and an
electronic operating circuit in the casing for operation, the
operating circuit comprising: at least one sensor for sensing an
atmospheric parameter, a memory for storing at least one literal
weather message pertinent to the atmospheric parameter, and a
control unit for determining degree of the atmospheric parameter
sensed by the sensor and retrieving from the memory a weather
message corresponding to the degree and displaying the weather
message retrieved on the display.
2. The weather station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control
unit displays the weather message on the display in a dynamic
manner.
3. The weather station as claimed in claim 2, wherein the display
extends horizontally and the control unit displays the weather
message scrolling along the display.
4. The weather station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display
comprises a dot matrix display.
5. The weather station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the memory
stores a plurality of literal weather messages corresponding to
variations of the atmospheric parameter for display on the display
under control of the control unit.
6. The weather station as claimed in claim 1, wherein each weather
message has a content that indicates at least one of probable
weather phenomenon, probable effect on a person, and action
recommended to a person.
7. The weather station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the memory
stores a plurality of literal weather messages comprising heat
index, UV index, and weather forecast.
8. The weather station as claimed in claim 7, wherein the messages
include freeze, ices and fog alerts.
9. The weather station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
atmospheric parameter comprises temperature expressed as a heat
index having a series of variations, and the memory stores a
plurality of literal weather messages corresponding to the
variations, having contents indicating probable effects on a
person, for display on the display under control of the control
unit.
10. The weather station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
atmospheric parameter comprises UV solar radiation expressed as a
UV index having a series of variations, and the memory stores a
plurality of literal weather messages corresponding to the
variations, having contents indicating actions recommended to a
person, for display on the display under control of the control
unit.
11. The weather station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
atmospheric parameter comprises pressure trend expressed as a
weather forecast having a series of variations, and the memory
stores a plurality of literal weather messages corresponding to the
variations, having contents indicating probable weather phenomena,
for display on the display under control of the control unit.
12. The weather station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
atmospheric parameter comprises temperature and humidity expressed
as one of freeze, ice, and fog alerts, and the memory stores a
corresponding literal weather message, having a content indicating
one of action recommended to a person and probable weather
phenomenon, for display on the display under control of the control
unit according to the temperature and humidity determined.
13. The weather station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the memory
stores a plurality of literal weather messages and the control unit
is programmed to display the weather messages on the display
sequentially, in a predetermined order.
14. The weather station as claimed in claim 13, wherein the control
unit is programmed to display the weather messages repeatedly and
continuously, and a key of the operating circuit is operable to
reset the display to restart from a weather message of a warning
nature.
15. The weather station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control
unit is programmed to display the at least one weather message on
the display repeatedly and continuously for reading at any time.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a weather station for
indicating weather conditions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Weather stations (or monitors) for indicating weather
conditions are generally known, which may incorporate other
functions or be included as part or a function of an equipment of
another type and in particular a clock. Weather conditions, such as
temperature and weather forecast, are typically indicated by the
measured values or pertinent symbols on an LCD display. These
manners of indication are sometimes found to be not practical or
inadequate.
[0003] The invention seeks to obviate or at least alleviate such
shortcoming by providing a new or improved weather station.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] According to the invention, there is provided a weather
station for measuring and indicating weather conditions, comprising
a casing having a display and an electronic operating circuit in
the casing for operation. The operating circuit comprises at least
one sensor for sensing an atmospheric parameter, a memory for
storing at least one literal weather message pertinent to the
atmospheric parameter, and a control unit for determining degree of
the atmospheric parameter sensed by the sensor and retrieving a
said weather message corresponding to the degree and then
displaying the weather message on the display.
[0005] Preferably, the control unit is adapted to display the
weather message on the display in a dynamic manner.
[0006] More preferably, the display extends horizontally and the
control unit is adapted to display the weather message scrolling
along the display.
[0007] Advantageously, the display comprises a dot matrix
display.
[0008] It is preferred that the memory stores a plurality of
literal weather messages corresponding to variations of the
atmospheric parameter for display on the display under the control
of the control unit according to the corresponding variations as
determined.
[0009] It is preferred that the or each weather message has a
content that indicates at least one of probable weather phenomenon,
probable effect on a person and action recommended to a person.
[0010] Preferably, the memory stores a plurality of literal weather
messages of different types comprising heat index, UV index and
weather forecast.
[0011] More preferably, the message types include freeze, ice and
fog alerts.
[0012] It is preferred that the atmospheric parameter comprises
temperature expressed as heat index having a series of variations,
and the memory stores a plurality of literal weather messages
corresponding to the variations, having contents indicating
probable effects on a person, for display on the display under the
control of the control unit according to the corresponding
variations as determined.
[0013] It is preferred that the atmospheric parameter comprises UV
solar radiation expressed as UV index having a series of
variations, and the memory stores a plurality of literal weather
messages corresponding to the variations, having contents
indicating actions recommended to a person, for display on the
display under the control of the control unit according to the
corresponding variations as determined.
[0014] It is preferred that the atmospheric parameter comprises
pressure trend expressed as weather forecast having a series of
variations, and the memory stores a plurality of literal weather
messages corresponding to the variations, having contents
indicating probable weather phenomena, for display on the display
under the control of the control unit according to the
corresponding variations as determined.
[0015] It is preferred that the atmospheric parameter comprises
temperature and humidity expressed as one of freeze, ice and fog
alerts, and the memory stores a corresponding literal weather
message, having a content indicating one of action recommended to a
person and probable weather phenomenon, for display on the display
under the control of the control unit according to the temperature
and humidity as determined.
[0016] Preferably, the memory stores a plurality of literal weather
messages of different types, and the control unit is programmed to
display the weather messages on the display sequentially according
to their types in a predetermined order.
[0017] More preferably, the control unit is programmed to display
the weather messages repeatedly and continuously, and a key of the
operating circuit is operable to reset the display to restart from
a weather message of a warning nature.
[0018] Advantageously, the control unit is programmed to display
the weather message or messages on the display repeatedly and
continuously for reading at any time.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0019] The invention will now be more particularly described, by
way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings,
in which:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an embodiment of a
weather station in accordance with the invention, said station
having a display;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a left side elevational view of the weather
station of FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a series of messages displayed
on the display of FIG. 1; and
[0023] FIG. 4 is a schematic functional block diagram of an
operating circuit of the weather station of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0024] Referring to the drawings, there is shown a desktop weather
station 100 embodying the invention, which comprises a flat
rectangular casing 110 having an LCD display 120, nine function
keys 130 on opposite left and right sides thereof including a
message key 131, and a snooze/light button 140 on a stand below the
display 120. The bottom part of the display 120 is manufactured as
an oblong dot matrix display 121 which extends horizontally and is
dedicated to display of weather messages.
[0025] An electronic operating circuit 90 (FIG. 4) in the casing
110 measures various atmospheric parameters for indicating weather
conditions and provides time/calendar information on the display
120. Such atmospheric parameters comprise barometric pressure,
temperature and humidity and weather forecast is also included, all
of which are collectively referred to as weather conditions.
[0026] The operating circuit 90 includes a control unit built based
upon a microprocessor 80 to perform various weather and clock
functions. For weather functions, the microprocessor 80 is
programmed and calibrated to process various weather input signals
and perform relevant computations and then provide appropriate
outputs for display on the display 120 in various modes. For clock
functions, a built-in radio-controlled clock module 75 of the
operating circuit 90 provides time and calendar information as well
as an alarm. There is also included a radio-frequency (RF) clock
sensor 76 for automatic synchronization with the RF time and
calendar signals broadcast by the local authority of the country or
time zone concerned for official time synchronization.
[0027] The operating circuit 90 includes a plurality of sensors 70
for sensing the various weather parameters, such as temperature,
pressure and humidity in particular. Some of these sensors 70 are
wired within the station casing 110 for indoor measurement of
temperature for example, whilst the others are remote thermo-hygro
sensors 70 placed at suitable outdoor locations for measuring
temperature and humidity. A receiver 71 of the operating circuit 90
provides up to five RF communication channels for receiving input
signals from respective remote sensors 70, whose transmitters are
tuned to the right channels.
[0028] Indoor temperature is measurable in the range from
-5.degree. C. to +50.0.degree. C. (23.degree. F. to 122.0.degree.
F.) and outdoor (remote) temperature from -20.0.degree. C. to
+60.0.degree. C. (-4.0.degree. F. to +140.0.degree. F.). Both
indoor and outdoor humidity can be measured in the range from 25%
to 95%.
[0029] Barometric pressure can be measured and displayed
numerically in mb/hPa or in Hg as selected by a user. Altitude
adjustment is built-in for automatic atmospheric pressure
compensation from -100 m to 2500 m.
[0030] It is known that the trend of change in atmospheric pressure
provides a reasonably reliable basis for ascertaining the current
weather condition and predicting the forthcoming weather condition.
Intensive research and analysis including statistical studies on
this topic have been conducted, and various algorithms derived for
use in weather forecast. In this regard, the microprocessor 80 is
programmed based on an appropriate algorithm to identify five
variations of weather forecast conditions, namely Sunny, Partly
Cloudy, Cloudy, Rainy and Snowy, and to indicate them using
respective sun/moon, cloud, rain and snow kinetic icons 124 on the
display 120.
[0031] The first four conditions are determined primarily according
to the variations in atmospheric pressure as measured by the
relevant sensor 70 every fifteen minutes over a certain past period
of time for at least several hours. Such pressure variations or
trend includes, for example, the rate of rise or fall and the
relative level as between the highest and lowest measurements.
Identifying the SNOW condition also requires the use of rain and
thermal sensors 70.
[0032] The weather station 100 is capable of displaying on the dot
matrix display 121 weather messages in literal form pertinent to
the atmospheric parameters or conditions, based on their degree,
level or values, as measured by the sensors 70 and microprocessor
80. The word contents of the messages are stored in the
microprocessor's internal registers or a ROM memory 60 as part of
the operating circuit 90, for retrieval and display whenever
appropriate.
[0033] There are six different types of weather messages: Heat
Index, UV Index, Frost/Freeze, Ice Warning, Fog and Weather
Forecast, and each type may include one or more messages, whose
definition and content are set out in the following table:
TABLE-US-00001 Message Type Definition Message Content Heat Index
26.7.degree. C.-32.2.degree. C. Possibility of heat (80.degree.
F.-90.degree. F.) exhaustion 32.2.degree. C.-40.5.degree. C. Strong
heat - Possibility (90.degree. F.-105.degree. F.) of dehydration
40.5.degree. C.-54.4.degree. C. Very strong heat - Heat
(105.degree. F.-130.degree. F.) exhaustion likely 54.4.degree.
C./130.degree. F. or Intense heat - Strong greater possibility of
heat stroke UV Index 0-2 UV: Apply sunscreen 3-5 UV: Wear
protective clothing 6-7 UV: Wear sunglasses & protective
clothing 8-10 UV: Avoid the sun between 10AM to 4PM >=11 UV:
Very strong rays stay indoors UV down count UV: Time is Up! (max.
time time's up of exposure to sun is up) Frost/Freeze Dew point
& Freeze Alert: Wrap pipes & current temp. cover your
vegetation <=0.degree. C./32.degree. F. Ice Warning -2.degree.
C. to 3.degree. C. Ice Alert: possibility of (28.4.degree.
F.-37.4.degree. F.) black ice when driving Fog Temperature - Fog
Alert: possibility of Dew point <-15.degree. C./ poor visibility
when 5.degree. F. driving Weather (Based on trend Forecast: Sunny -
Enjoy Forecast of variation in your day the atmospheric Forecast:
Partly cloudy pressure) Forecast: Cloudy Forecast: Rainy - Don't
forget your umbrella Forecast: Snowy
[0034] Heat index in general is determined by temperature as the
principal atmospheric parameter, supplemented by humidity that
being a factor as it affects how environmental heat is felt by the
skin. The present Heat Index message type has a series of four
variations for hot conditions, which are defined primarily by
respective ranges of temperature values. The memory 60 stores
separate literal weather messages corresponding to these
variations, each having a relevant content for display to foretell
a probable harmful effect, i.e. heat exhaustion, hydration or
stroke, on a person in the specific hot environmental condition
concerned.
[0035] The ozone layer shields the Earth from harmful UV
(ultraviolet) radiation emitted by the sun. Ozone depletion, as
well as seasonal and weather conditions, cause different amounts of
UV radiation to reach the Earth at any given time. UV index in
general predicts the next day's ultraviolet radiation levels on a 1
to, 11+ official scale.
[0036] The subject UV Index is divided into a series of five
possible variations in UV radiation, which are defined according to
rising levels of the official UV index, and one hostile state i.e.
down count time's up state when the maximum time of exposure to the
sun has expired. The memory 60 stores separate literal weather
messages corresponding to these conditions, each having a related
content for display to recommend a suitable protective action, i.e.
wearing sunglasses, etc or avoiding the sun, on to a person in that
sun condition.
[0037] Each of the types Frost/Freeze, Ice Warning and Fog has only
one single message that represents an alert signal for a respective
adverse state of condition determined based on the temperature
and/or humidity (dew point) as set out. Upon reaching of this
state, a corresponding literal weather message retrieved from the
memory 60 will be displayed to recommend a precautionary action to
take for Frost/Freeze or to suggest a specific weather phenomenon
likely to meet for Ice Warning or Fog i.e. black ice or poor
visibility respectively.
[0038] With regard to the message type on Weather Forecast, there
are the five variations, i.e. Sunny, Partly Cloudy, Cloudy, Rainy
and Snowy by name, defined based on the trends in atmospheric
pressure. Corresponding literal weather messages stored in the
memory 60 have content for display to predict the probable general
weather phenomenon or condition by those names.
[0039] In general, a weather message will be displayed if, and for
as long as, the criteria of the associated definition are met i.e.
those atmospheric parameters are prevailing. The exceptions are the
Weather Forecast and UV Index messages, which will always be
exhibited as each set of messages covers all possible
variations.
[0040] On the dot matrix display 121, each message will be
displayed in a dynamic manner for prominence or to be eye-catching.
This can be done in a number of ways, for example the message can
be made to flash or be displayed on a blinking background or, as in
the case of the described embodiment, the message is displayed as a
single line sentence scrolling from right to left along the display
121, as depicted in FIG. 3 which shows the start of every message
content sentence.
[0041] The Heat Index and UV Index messages for the last two
variations of either type and the message of each type
Frost/Freeze, Ice Warning or Fog are classified by their nature as
warning messages (shown in italic in the table), whilst the
remainders are general message of the other kind. The warning
messages are always accompanied by a stationary icon "CAUTION" 122
positioned at the upper left corner of the display 121 for enhanced
conspicuousness.
[0042] The messages on show are normally displayed sequentially and
repeatedly in the cyclic order according to their types: Warning
(Frost/Freeze, Ice Warning and/or Fog)>Weather Forecast>Heat
Index>UV Index>Warning, etc. As the messages are displayed
continuously, they can be read at any time. Upon pressing of the
message key 131, the cyclic display will be reset to restart from
the warning messages and, upon repeated pressings, to scroll down
to a specific message type as desired so that the message of that
type can be read immediately.
[0043] The weather station 100 has a number of operation modes that
can be entered or exited, or in general selected, using appropriate
keys 130 as is generally known in the art. There are three
principal operation modes namely clock/alarm, temperature/humidity
and pressure/UV display modes, which can be switched to subsidiary
modes for inter alia setting the clock/alarm or displaying further
information e.g. temperature/humidity history and their
maximum/minimum values or pressure/UV.
[0044] The invention has been given by way of example only, and
various other modifications of and/or alterations to the described
embodiment may be made by persons skilled in the art without
departing from the scope of the invention as specified in the
appended claims.
* * * * *